LS&Co. Backs “Time to Vote” CEO Challenge

Levi Strauss & Co. is making it easier for our employees to vote in this year’s midterm elections with a pledge to give employees paid time off to cast their ballots.

LS&Co. and Patagonia joined forces this weekend to launch a campaign with more than 100 other companies called “Time to Vote,” encouraging voter turnout by making sure employees can take the time they need to participate in the election. The goal is to tackle the dismal voting turnout rates in the U.S., which are among the lowest in the developed world. Only 36 percent of eligible voters cast ballots in the last midterms in 2014.

“People have fought and died for the right to vote in America and as business leaders we have a role to play in helping our employees participate in the democratic process,” said LS&Co. President and CEO Chip Bergh. “This campaign isn’t about any particular party or candidate or issue – it’s about encouraging more people to vote without having to make the hard choice between going to work and going to the polls.”

“Our democracy simply works better when people go vote,” said Patagonia CEO Rose Marcario. “Demonstrating your company’s commitment to voting reinforces the idea that American businesses can protect our democracy. I have been heartened to see business leaders from every corner of the country and across a range of industries prioritizing the health of our democracy and look forward to seeing this movement grow.”

“I believe that each of us can be a catalyst for change. When we exercise our right to vote, we can have a profound impact.” – Eileen Fisher, Founder and President of EILEEN FISHER, Inc.

“We’re long overdue for a greater number of voters to exercise their right to make their voices heard, for politicians to empower and not disenfranchise prospective voters, and for we as employers to do our parts in making that happen.” – Ian Golden, CEO of Finger Lakes Running

“The purest expression of any person’s freedom occurs in the voting booth – it is our collective moral duty as CEOs to accommodate every citizen in pursuing that privilege.” – Todd Carmichael, CEO of La Colombe

“Every election is an important one, and democracy dies without engagement. As business leaders, we aspire to foster engagement within our workplaces, and we have the power to enable engagement in our democracy as well. We raise our glasses to the organizations that have joined the campaign and to all those considering taking action.” – Steve Fechheimer, CEO of New Belgium

“To create healthier communities, we must build more engaged communities—and this includes encouraging as many Americans as possible to exercise their right to vote.” – Bernard J. Tyson, Chairman and CEO of Kaiser Permanente

We‘ll be featuring stories about our voter engagement efforts here at LS&Co. all this week and every Tuesday in October in leadup to Election Day. Check back to learn more about how we‘re encouraging everyone – from employees to consumers – to get informed, get involved and get out to vote!